Will face masks make you more likely to shop and eat out?

[CamDram]

I understand the reasons for making face masks compulsory. But I’m not sure whether I’ll want to go out into the shops or restaurants and spend money on the high streets unless I really need something specific once everyone’s faces are covered.

Will compulsory face mask make you:

YES - MORE likely to go out shopping/ eating out on the high street

NO- LESS likely to go out shopping

W

@contrmary The classes issue is real! Micropore tape or first aid tape, whichever you call it is your friend. Tape your mask to the bridge of your nose and you're winning! (Don't use elastoplast style tape though, that's a recipe for disaster.)

@Mominatrix - yes yes to what you said.

There is a level of stupidity that goes right along with the level of selfishness.

Yet over yourselves people and wear a frickin' mask!!

I work as a nurse on renal unit and every single one of my patients is vulnerable. They shield as much as they can, but some work and go out and about. Some are under the age of 40. You are wearing a mask to protect all people like this.

Or I guess the poster citing how many deaths of the under 40s there has been thinks that all old/ill people may as well just die anyway - that's how it read to me. Charming.

I do a 12 hour shift at work, and yes, wear a mask the whole livelong day. In fact We All Do - and guess what? The novelty of whinging about it wore off some time ago - no one mentions it.

@Crunchymum

I wear glasses too. Blind as a bat without them.

What do people not understand about people wearing masks saving lives on a population level? There is scientific evidence. Just put the bloody mask on or don’t and stay at home. I bet you wouldn’t be complaining if it was your life that was at risk.

What happens in cafes wgen they are in a shop? I'm meeting a friend for a coffee in a local garden centre this week (so won't be a problem as it doesn't start until 24th) but in order to get to the cafe I have to go in through the shop area. The cafe is just an extension of the shop - although it also has outdoor seating which we'll be using. There is only one entrance in from the car park to all areas. But you can't eat cake and drink coffee in a mask. The business has only just reopened it's cafe - hope this isn't going to force them to close it again. It's a small family run independent not one of the big boys.

Good God but the English remind me of a bunch of whining toddlers.

You can't possibly wear a mask in a restaurant or bar.

I wasn't rushing out to the shops anyway unless I really needed something. I've been enjoying spending less.

I'm not keen on masks as they seem to need adjusting the whole time and I've become very aware of not touching my face. Also people wearing them seem to think social distancing is no longer needed. This is worse when you are wearing one as well.

I'll just get on with it but it wont make me go to the shops more. Which is what this must be about. Right through the peak I couldn't get online shopping deliveries so I went out to do the weekly shop. Masks weren't advised then, it does feel a bit disingenuous now.

@Porcupineinwaiting

Good God but the English remind me of a bunch of whining toddlers.

I know, I’m so bloody embarrassed. I hate the way England feels at the moment. I want to leave. I wonder if Scotland is nicer?

I'll probably be more inclined to shop. I haven't been wearing a mask for general shopping and nor have most people locally. But I've noticed all people getting more relaxed and not keeping their distance. If those of us that can do it do so then it's another layer of us protecting each other. Especially the most vulnerable and those that can't wear masks. I'd be happier being out and about knowing that.

I've not really been anywhere shop wise other than a supermarket but on the one occasion I have I did feel guilty for not wearing one. Shop staff are potentially in a vulnerable situation and I could help protect them so why not? Someone I know has chronic lung problems and works in a small shop.

I've worn one for a medical appointment and a driving lesson and although a bit uncomfortable towards the end it was fine. I'm a bit surprised at the attitudes on threads like this to be honest.

Oh and yes to micropore for the glasses fogging issue!

I’m with the majority, face covering will reduce the time I spend on the high street. Face masks are uncomfortable, and they threaten to knock my glasses off every minute or so. Face mask do not to me equate to relaxed social shopping. There’s a lot of waffle on R4 this am about them providing reassurance to people who will then shop more. Hmmmm...

It will make me more likely to go out becuase if people don't wear them the r value will climb and deaths will spiral meaning I will be staying at home until either the British public becomes more sensible or until there is a vaccine.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-53392148

I will wear one, but I was simply go back to limiting where and when I go.

And it is ridiculous telling someone who lip reads they can be exempt, because it is others wearing a mask that is the issue.

Face masks will make me less likely to shop

I’m really claustrophobic and they make me panic - plus the rigged up glasses issue, so I’ll just stick to supermarket/essential shopping in actual shops, and anything else I can order online

Yes, I'll be more likely to go into shops now.

I think there'll be sizeable numbers of those who, like me, have stayed at home throughout to protect ourselves or someone close to us, and will now feel confident enough to start using shops again given the lowering virus rates and the varying precautions beginning to be put in place everywhere.

I think it's only being introduced because the government is panicking about the reduced footfall in the high Street. Whether "the science" says it is a good idea or not, I think that is why they are doing it. They think it will encourage more people to go out. I think they're wrong, people won't go out more, but we'll see

I will be returning from lockdown in Spain this week. I will be very pleased if people in shops are wearing masks.

All the people whinging and moaning about wearing masks need to get over themselves. If people in Spain can wear them in over forty degrees heat then so can the British. It might not be pleasant, but then not everything in life is. At the time it is necessary, and anyone who doesn't wear a mask without a genuine reason is just peeing on the sacrifices we've all made and saying they don't give a stuff about frontline NHS staff.

The high street won’t suffer because of compulsory masks UNLESS those of you complaining keep complaining, YOU are the problem! The people having tantrums because they “don’t like masks”

But people are not saying they won't wear them, they are saying they won't go to the shops as much because they don't like wearing them. That is their preference and nobody should be tantrumming because some people have made a perfectly valid choice.

Also there is no real answer for people with asthma, people who lip read, or those with other conditions who find them difficult. They are just accused of having 'tantrums' .

Yes, they will make me more likely to go out and shop because I won’t be surrounded by selfish idiots.

It’s just tough shit if people don’t like it. Everyone suddenly seems to have an excuse for why they can’t possibly wear one

@MilkRunningOutAgain I'm listening to R4 and the presenters are clearly pushing mask wearing as a good thing. They are steering all their interviewees in that direction.

I think most of the "pleasure" in shopping in person is gone because you can't actually try on clothes in stores, although even before Covid your chances of them stocking exactly what you wanted weren't great.

I'm basically converted to shopping online now, even shoes - wasn't far off before Covid but I've finally given up on being able to look at decent selection of colours in a 12-14 (size required depends on cut and fabric) at any high street store.

Yes, much more likely to go out when masks are compulsory. It should have happened months ago.

I won't be going out. Your not allowed to not like them but I don't like them. I have horrible anxiety from all the changes. I can't stand feeling hot. It makes me panic. Not to mention the joy of going in shops is removed.

I would love to take my kids in the big local garden center to see the fish and stuff but now I feel I don't want to.

I'll do my food shop online as always.

I buy clothes online anyway.

I'll Christmas shop online too.

So I don't see me going out for the rest of the year now.

Shop - possibly.

Restaurant/Pub - how can you wear a mask and eat/drink? So no.

I really feel for local businesses, but many of the British public have proven themselves to be utter idiots, so I won't be carrying on as if it were normal times.